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Hi I'm Hal

I'm an Investment banker turned entrepreneur and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I love what Aristotle said, “For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.”
I love life and the opportunity it gives me to achieve and discover my potential. For me that means becoming the best husband, father, son and brother that I can become and then balancing that with my business career, staying fit and dealing with the daily demands of life.
I love having an impact and making things better than how I found them. As an entrepreneur, I love the challenge of working on ideas where the answer isn't clear and the path not known.
Occasionally, I surf at Old Man’s in southern California because I am an old man. I snow board with my kids and ride my bike or run with my friends. I have worn off a toenail or two in marathons.
I earned an MBA at the University of Chicago. I started my career in investment banking in New York - don’t hold that against me - and ended it on California Street in San Francisco after 7 years. Now I work in Los Angeles trying to transform innovative technology ideas into successful companies. Through four time zones and all these experiences, I have met many wonderful people and this added richly to my life.

Why I am a Mormon

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I am a Mormon because the Gospel of Jesus Christ provides me a foundation of faith and hope. The Mormon faith is active, living and real. It is founded on eternal truth and principles taught by Jesus Christ that have been restored to the earth. I have experienced deeply personal spiritual experiences that strengthen me and my family.
I've seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its teachings change lives. And I have personally experienced the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. It has made me a better, kinder more caring person. This personal growth has helped me be a more loving husband and more patient and understanding father. Being a Mormon has helped me grow and develop and constantly reminds me of my purpose on this earth.

How I live my faith

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I appreciate the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the purpose it gives my life. So, I live my faith every day by trying to live as Jesus Christ taught that we should. I do my best to be honest, kind, and loving to others. I am more successful in this pursuit when I pray for His help and bring His spirit into my heart and mind through studying scriptures. I am far from perfect so I ask forgiveness when I make mistakes or fall short then try to become better.
I love my family and have a wonderful wife and four children that I love deeply. At this point in my life, nothing is more important than my family. I feel that the care and teaching of my children is my highest purpose on earth. And I never imagined I would say that. The best work I can do is loving, serving and helping my family. I believe that these relationships are eternal.
I serve as a youth leader in my congregation. That includes Boy Scouts. I have coached all of my children in youth sports and love the opportunity to help kids see and then reach new heights.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Hal

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The Book of Mormon teaches the word of God, like the Bible. Its most important message is its testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Redeemer. Like the Bible, it contains God's guidance to his children on earth as revealed to prophets.
I read and ponder the Book of Mormon daily. I read because it draws me closer to God so I can feel his love for me and because his love influences me to be a better person. The stated purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify and convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. I have felt that.
Whenever I read the Book of Mormon, it invites the Holy Ghost into my life. Combined with daily prayer, I can be comforted, guided and directed in my life in a world that is increasingly turbulent. It helps me understand what I can do to find greater happiness in this life.
It teaches that the word of God was “more powerful … than the sword, or anything else” in changing people’s hearts. That is true. As I read the Book of Mormon and feel its influence in my life, I am also reminded of the promise in Proverbs chapter three, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.“
I have personally discovered that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that it will lead anyone to come closer to Him.Show moreShow less

To what do you attribute the growth of the Church?

Hal

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This may not make much sense at first glance but I believe the Mormon Church is growing so rapidly because it requires its members to sacrifice and to be accountable. As children of a Heavenly Father, we have an innate desire to give, help and serve. When all else fails us, we can always find a remarkable sense of peace and purpose by helping and serving others.
Mormon leaders are lay leaders. No one is paid. But it is far more than lay leadership that ignites this growth. All adults are assigned to care for one or two people or families in the congregation. Everyone serves in some capacity and is expected to contribute some time, effort and talent. So members always feel needed and experience a sense of purpose and contribution. It feels good to be needed and to help others with their temporal and spiritual needs. We become more like Jesus Christ when we serve.
The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of this service. He gave all, including his life, for us.Show moreShow less

Why is it important for us to take care of our bodies? Why are our bodies called temples of God in the Bible?

Hal

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One of the greatest gifts God has given us is agency – the opportunity to act for ourselves and not just be acted upon. The power to make choices for ourselves is important and we strive to not do anything that impairs this agency or impairs the ability of the Holy Ghost to guide us to make good choices. So the Mormon faith teaches that we protect our bodies from substances that reduce our agency or limit our choices to act for ourselves.
Our bodies are also a gift of God. We should want to do all we can to care for this gift. As we take care of our bodies, we are more capable of caring for ourselves, our family and ultimately serving others.
This principle finds foundation in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 316-17 where he teaches, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” As a temple of God our bodies and minds are sacred and we should strive to keep them healthy.Show moreShow less

God makes it easy for us to follow Him by giving us commandments. Following the commandments can lead us to happiness. We certainly are not perfect, but God has given us a way to be forgiven of our sins through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Wanting more from life, Mike Turvey set out hitchhiking with nothing but a hope that something worthwhile was out there. When he passed through Israel, his desire to learn more about Jesus Christ led him to discover what he had been searching for.